Atari Bigby says he’ll play special teams, but Seahawks ‘have their starters’

Atari Bigby walks onto the field during Seahawks Training Camp on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton. (Photo by Joshua Trujillo, seattlepi.com)

RENTON — New Seattle Seahawks safety Atari Bigby was pretty specific about what his role will be with the team going forward.

Bigby, speaking with reporters for the first time since signing with the Seahawks on Tuesday, said he’s been told he will primarily contribute on special teams.

“From what I get from it, is special teams,” Bigby said. “Come in a little bit on defense, but they told me that they have their starters.”

That obviously means Bigby, a strong safety with the Green Bay Packers the past six seasons, won’t compete for a starting spot with second-year safety Kam Chancellor. So go ahead and pencil in Chancellor and Earl Thomas as your starting safeties. Not exactly a revelation, but still, it was a question worth asking.

Carroll said Bigby’s experience will help the back end of the Seahawks’ secondary, which prior to Bigby’s signing did not have a player with more than two years experience in the NFL.

“He does bring play-time experience, and he’s done a lot of different stuff,” Carroll said. “He’s a very aggressive kid, and an active type of guy. Might be a real good boost to our special teams.”